A State of Mind

I'm officially creating a new word. When used, it has positive mental and emotional effects, even substantiated and documented by science. Well, not "my" word, exactly. But I personally have proof in the puddin' that this word has been the the 12th man for me, today and other days of my life.

It all started during my Ironman training days. One bike ride in particular. I was two weeks from tapering from Kona, so on a big hunkin' bike ride to Bflippin'Nowhere that was a "have to". Well, actually it was somewhere on "Small Town Country Rd. USA" near Bertram. This particular ride wasn't any bike ride, it was absolutely a "must do", a "game changer" if not done. One I had to knock out. Training plans. Peaking at the right time. Needing three long bike rides three weeks in a row. Had to much on the line to not do it. Was too far into this thing to back out. But I was stewing in my "poor pitiful me's" and I wasn't even at the half way point of a 115 mile ride on a scalding Labor Day Weekend.

"I could have been at home on the lake today." "I could have been eating breakfast and drinking bloody mary's on my patio with friends." (Frankly, they were all probably there anyway ;-) "I could have slept in." "I could have been playing like everyone else on Labor Day Weekend." "If I was at home I wouldn't be out in the middle of nowhere on a 100+ degree day on a melting asphalt country road." And truly the list went on and on. It was the pity party of all parties with one lone attendee.

I crested a slight rise in the road and saw an amazing windmill with cattle grazing. I love Texas and I love Texas ranches even more. It really is beautiful in Central Texas. I suddenly got out of myself and into something better -  and immediately knew I had to switch gears - mental gears, that was. I had almost 60 miles to go - "lots" more hours. So instead of meddling in an my "I have to" attitude, I changed my mind.

Git2.

I can tell you the exact moment in time, the exact location, the exact scenery - and exactly how my mind made the switch flip and the remaining 60 were much more enjoyable, tolerable, doable - from the "get go".

Kind of like today. Day 11 bound to the house except for essentials. Day 11 of "I have to" stay home; "I have to" tend to just things here. "I have to figure out how to keep four of us peaceful, fully functioning, healthy and happy." Oh, yes, and "I have to help Steve keep a positive mindset as we flow down a new economical road." And...."I have to go to HEB for two families." Today. Have to.

For months I'd jokingly teased Coltyn (our 17 YOB) that he should finish his senior year homeschooling so I could spend more time with him (both boys home schooled until middle and high school ages.) Told him we could "bond" a bit more before he moved on to college. Over the holidays, we urged our oldest son to take a break from Embry Riddle Aeronautical studies as well as the flight line and spend some time "clearing his head" at home this summer. I'd asked my husband if he could at least shorten his business hours during the "off" season so we could spend a little more time together before both of our businesses ramped up for summer.

I'm sure you're already snickering. Careful what you ask for. 'Cuz, now, I...

Git2.

I could have spelled that word more phonetically - but I'm a Texas gal, y'all. I remember my Grandma had a Texas vocabulary book on her coffee table in the house they built in 1967, the same lakeside home we bought from my dad in 2002.

Fix'in. Dad Gum it. Git Out. Hissy Fit. Hell or High Water. And now, Git2.

I thought about how to spell Git2. Nothing worked very well phonetically. "Getto." Obviously a no. "Get-to." Nu-uh. "Geto" Nope. "Git to?" No, that's two words. So alpha-numeric blending seemed better suited. Besides, the Urban Dictionary will soon replace the hard copy Webster's that I still have which was gifted to me in high school.

Git2.

It's gorgeous outside, but instead of being outside, today I Git2 go to HEB for two families. Not one, but two. Geared up in my virus armor, clorox wipies in each hand. Groceries loaded above the recently disinfected safety rail, two of this, one of that, three of this, six?? of that. But, just fixin' to say, knowing it was no longer a "have to" because the reason I was about to Git2 was that the boys were now home for quite a time to come; Steve's business is still functioning and working by appointment; and my 92 and 90 year old dad and mom are still healthy, still home and living right next store. I Git2 go to the grocery store for all of us.

I also Git2 figure out what to do with all of the Hefty trash bags my son "gifted me with" that he filled up with items he no longer "needs/wants" since he's been home to clean his room out. Great use of his time. But the three huge, large bags not so useful in my Mini Cooper, there, in the back seat and back hatch, they sat, to my surprise when I waltzed out of HEB after two hours of shopping. But the boys are home. Cleaned out that room after all these months. So, I Git2 figure out where, in my tiny Mini, to put these massive, stuffed bags, eight sacks of groceries, and six cases of soda (yes, apparently the key to living to be 92.) Cheers!

Git2.

I've used that word a lot, frankly, over time. It's not new to me. But today, it was necessary to me. I find that if I'm mindful and present, and hear myself say "have to", it's now a reflex to see if "Git2" can replace it - and then let the power of science take over my mind from there. According to Psychology Today, all kinds of cool things truly do happen to the mind when we remove negative words and connotations from our vocabulary (yes, like the "c" word, those of you that workout with me know).

If I were to put you into an fMRI scanner—a huge donut-shaped magnet that can take a video of the neural changes in your brain—and flash the word “NO” for less than one second, you’d see a sudden release of dozens of stress-producing hormones and neurotransmitters. These chemicals immediately interrupt the normal functioning of your brain, impairing logic, reason, language processing, and communication. 

In fact, just seeing a list of negative words for a few seconds will make a highly anxious or depressed person feel worse, and the more you ruminate on them, the more you can actually damage key structures that regulate your memory, feelings, and emotions. You’ll disrupt your sleep, your appetite, and your ability to experience long-term happiness and satisfaction.

If you vocalize your negativity, or even slightly frown when you say “no,” more stress chemicals will be released, not only in your brain, but in the listener’s as well. The listener will experience increased anxiety and irritability, thus undermining cooperation and trust. 

~Psychology Today, Andrew Newberg MD and Mark Waldman

So, what do you Git2 do today?